Chelsea vs. Sunderland 2016: Time, TV schedule, live stream, and 3 things to know

Nine straight league wins have allowed Chelsea to open up a three-point gap at the top of the Premier League table heading into the midweek slate of fixtures. Antonio Conte's side will hope to extend their advantage when they travel to face struggling Sunderland on Wednesday. Anything other than a convincing victory would come as a disappointment for the travelling supporters.

That's because Sunderland sit rock bottom of the table, having picked up just 11 points from their first 15 games. Their only three wins of the season so far have come in the last five matches, but their heavy 3-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Swansea City on the weekend suggests manager David Moyes still has a mammoth task in trying to lead the Black Cats to safety.

1. Sunderland have a lengthy injury list, with Paddy McNair, Lee Cattermole, Lynden Gooch, Jack Rodwell and Duncan Watmore all on the treatment table. Didier Ndong is sidelined through suspension. Chelsea's only certain absentee is John Terry, though Kurt Zouma, Marco van Ginkel, Oscar and John Obi Mikel are all doubtful.

2. Sunderland have so far been worryingly reliant on former England international Jermain Defoe for goals. He's netted over half of his side's 15 so far this season, and if Chelsea are able to keep him quiet, they should be able to pull off a very comfortable victory.

3. Chelsea have surprisingly failed to win at the Stadium of Light in their last three attempts. Their last victory away Sunderland came in December 2013, when Frank Lampard, an Eden Hazard brace and a Phil Bardsley own goal secured them a 4-3 win.